How to Develop an A Team  using Davidic Principles (2 Sam 23:13-17; I Chron 11:18)

David  as God's servant- leader was not a perfect man as we know from Scripture.   His life was characterised by strengths but also flaws and foibles. In spite of his shortcomings, David is called "a man after God's own heart."  In 2 Sam 23:13-17) we have story of his leadership and relationship with those who were serving under him -  mighty men  which are very instructive . 

During one of the battles, it was harvest time, three of the thirty chief men came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the three A Team members  men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But David although he was thirsty  refused to drink it, Instead, he poured it out before the Lord and said, “Far be it from me, O Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” 

What are some Davidic leadership principles we can glean for this story?

One, the importance of team building.  In teamwork, the power of synergy is produced.  What is synergy? 

State in which two or more agents, entities, factors, processes, substances, or systems work together in a particularly fruitful way that produces an effect greater the sum of their individual effects. Expressed also as 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.' For example, two (or more) employees who excel together but are ordinary when working alone are said to have synergy.^[1]

Synergy (or synergism) comes from two  Greek  words -  ergon (to work), and syn ( together) form which we get sunergiā (cooperation), sunergos, working together. Hence,  synergism is "the working together of two or more things  to produce a  greater effect  than the sum of their individual effects. Therefore synergy is created when different elements or things work in concert together to create an outcome that is in some way of more value than the total of what the individual inputs is.^[2] Synergy increases the effectiveness of each member of a team. To function well, a team must be committed to a common vision and purpose, and it must be willing to work in unity for the improvement of the whole rather than the advancement of any one member. A team is capable of accomplishing things that no one person however talented could do it alone.

A good analogy is an orchestra that uses different instruments. Before the performance, there is always the tuning of the instrument the correct pitch.  During that tuning, you will hear a cacophony of strange sounds - irritating to the ears. Once all the instruments are tuned,  they produce melodious and harmonious music.

A great leader knows how to bring together a group of diverse people and unite them  for a common goal.  In other words, he or she must have the ability to build up a team. The test is how many are willing to join him or her? We are told that  David, had a team  of “mighty men” (cf.  Sam 23:13-17 ;  I Chron 11:18).  It stands to reason that David accomplished mighty things because he had an A team -  mighty men made up of  loyal soldiers and  courageous warriors ready, willing to lay their lives on the front line him. These were the heroic men  ( cf. 2 Samuel 23:8-39) who followed David before he ascended to the throne and after he did. They must have believed in him to have followed him.   These A Team never left him or he left them when he became king.

How did David develop an A-Team and produced synergy? 

One, he spent time with them -  in battle and out of battle. Their working together and fighting alongside bonded their friendship and relationship. David poured his life into them and trusted them. According to Jon R. Katzenbach and Douglas K. Smith, effective leaders, “simply need to believe in their purpose and their people” (cf.  Matt 16:13-20). They became a band of brotherhood and their brother’s keeper. He also honoured them and they became known as “David’s Mighty Men.” David knew these men and their capabilities, because he had seen what they could do with his own eyes. They weren’t merely known as mighty men; they were David’s mighty men set part from others. This implies that David knew he needed a committed team to fight alongside with him.

A good biblical basis for teamwork is  the Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit each having with a specific role. Yet the three of them  works harmoniously and interdependently thereby displaying unity in diversity.

Do  you have  A-Team? Blessed are you if you have! The best investment a leader can make is always in a group of people.

Two, David  led by example. Knowing they were willing to make sacrifices for him, he did the same for them.  He must have been surprised by the act of the three men. His refusal to drink was not an act of ungratefulness but a gesture of identification and offering as a drink offering to the Lord. What he did was.  choosing to be self -sacrificing rather than self -serving.  That act of sacrifice demonstrated and communicated his deep love for his mighty warriors.  Surely, they would have been impressed. The men's chivalry and loyalty were  matched by David's own sacrifice.

Three, he exercised sacrificial leadership. David  was very thirsty and wanted to drink water desperately. However, when he realized it could have cost the lives of the three men who risked their lives to obtain water for him to drink, he refused to drink it but offered it to God. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it " even though he was thirsty.  Leadership is costly.  We read in the following chapter,  

But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”  So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them.  (2 Sam. 24:24).

It costs to serve  God and his people. What has your leadership cost you? Do you  give God left lovers? It is always easy to give God things we no longer need or have the capacity to enjoy.   Think about how many people leave their wealth to charity after they’ve died!  What kind of sacrifice is that?  Anybody could do that; that kind of giving means nothing because it cost nothing. When David poured out that precious water, he was giving God the very best he had at that moment.   God is never concerned with what we give, or how much we give, but rather with the quality of what we give.  He expects those who claim to love Him to give the best to Him; the best time, the best talents, the best attitudes, the best income, the best attention.  If it is something difficult for us to give away, God wants it.

A leader is best

When people barely know he exists.

Not so good when people obey and acclaim him,

Worst when they despise him.

“Fail to honour people,  they fail to honour you”;

But of a good leader, who talks little

When his work is done, his aim fulfilled

They will say, “We did this ourselves” (LaoTzu, 6^th century BC).

(1361 Word Count )

Let me say a prayer for you….